Security votes: EFCC counters former Governor Obiano’s motion against alleged N4 billion fraud case  

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has countered the former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, following his request that the N4 billion security votes-related fraud charges brought against him be quashed. 

EFCC’ lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir SAN told Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday to refuse the motion of the ex-governor. 

Tahir contended that the Economic Governance Section of the EFCC is investigating the affairs of Anambra State under the stewardship of the defendant as governor between 2014 to 2022. 

He added that the investigation was not restricted to Security Votes Accounts, contrary to the deposition in the governor’s legal team. 

The prosecution stated,  

The EFCC urged the court to convict the governor on all counts including counts 4 which reads, 

Obiano’ through his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, filed a motion on notice seeking an order of the court squashing the instant charge for amounting to flagrant abuse of judicial process and a mockery of the criminal justice. 

He argued in his processes that no evidence showed his client passing down directive for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to Anambra state government.  

The lawyer disclosed that there is already an appeal filed by the Anambra state government challenging the powers of the EFCC to investigate the security vote of Anambra state government. 

He stated,  

What transpired in court  

At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, Tahir confirmed to the court that he responded to the defendant’s motion through a counter affidavit. 

He adopted the submissions in his counter affidavit orally and asked the court to dismiss the motion. 

On his part, Ikpeazu adopted his motion and urged the court to quash the EFCC’s case against his client. 

Responding, Justice Ekwo fixed April 18 for ruling on the governor’s motion, adding if there is change in the scheduled date, the court would inform parties through a hearing notice.